Sheffield Bishop Ralph Heskett has resigned after 12 years in office - siting “declining health” in an open letter.

In The Right Reverend Heskett’s absence, Bishop of Leeds Marcus Stock has been appointed apostolic administrator - taking on the Hallam diocese as an additional duty.

The Right Reverend Heskett was appointed third Bishop of Hallam by Pope Francis in May 2014, having served previously as Bishop of Gibraltar from 2010.

In his resignation letter Bishop Heskett said health issues had impeded him in his pastoral responsibilities.

He added: “I can now inform you that the Holy Father (Pope Leo XIV) has accepted my resignation and that he offered me and you all his blessing and prayers at this time.”

Bishop Heskett was mired in controversy in 2021 when it was alleged he had known about a priest who preyed on altar boys in Liverpool but failed to report him to police.

Formerly parish priest at Bishop Eton in Childwall, Liverpool, Mr Heskett was said to have been told about the priest’s abuse at a Liverpool monastery.

Father Thomas MacCarte was jailed for four years in October 2021 at Liverpool Crown Court. During his trial a victim’s dad was said to have “immediately complained” to Bishop Heskett.

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However instead MacCarte was moved to Scotland instead of being reported to the police.

Announcing his Hallam diocese overseer appointment made by Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Rev Stock said he was “humbled”.

He went on in his letter to give details of a consultation over a possible “reunification” with the Diocese of Leeds - from which Hallam was created in May 1980.